Titled “Firefighter 1″ — this basic course gives new recruits the fundamentals to perform as a firefighting team member under the supervision of a higher trained, more experienced firefighter or officer. In addition to basic firefighting skills, it teaches the recruit about fire service history, discipline, honor and the brotherhood that makes the fire service unlike any other profession.
This training is offered free-of-charge to any active firefighter recruit in a volunteer fire department in New York State by the NYS Office of Fire Prevention & Control (NYS OFPC).
As the initial entry program for firefighting personnel, Firefighter I introduces firefighting concepts, practices and techniques necessary for success within the fire service. It is the first of many training opportunities locally available for free through NYS OFPC and Erie County Emergency Services.
Based on the Firefighter Level I objectives from NFPA Standard 1001, this course develops knowledge, skills and abilities based on performance criteria for the following topics:
- Fire department organization
- Firefighter safety
- Fire behavior
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
- Fire extinguishers
- Building searches
- Forcible entry
- Ground ladders
- Ventilation
- Hose practices
- Fre streams
- Loss control
The course consists of performance criteria in:
- Incident command
- Building construction
- Ropes/knots
- Rescue procedures
- Forcible entry applications
- Ventilation practices
- Fire extinguisher applications
- Suppression of structural fires
- Tactics
- Vehicle suppression
- Water supply
- Loss control
- Fire cause determination
- Fire department communications
- Fire suppression systems
- Hazardous materials (HazMat)
- Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
- Confined space
- Safety and fire prevention practices
The Firefighter 1 curriculum is 90 hours in length and is typically taught two evenings per week or double-sessions on Saturdays. It is also offered once per summer in a “Boot Camp” style during the week where the course is delivered from 8am-4pm – Monday-Friday for two weeks. Like all other state and county offered field training — it’s FREE!
Learn more about joining the volunteer fire service by contacting your local volunteer fire department, completing our simple contact form or by calling our Erie County Volunteer Firefighter Hotline at 716.601.3021.
In Genesee County:
Click here to learn more about volunteering in Fire/EMS by visiting Get FIRED Up Genesee!
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